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Monday, 14 March 2011

As you all probably know by now, this Friday at 14:46 JST an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 struck Japan. It was a very humbling proof of earth's power. The earthquake was massive; One of the fifth strongest earthquakes in recorded history and the strongest Japan has experienced until now. Together with all its consequences, it has become the worst crisis for Japan since WWII.

First some facts

The main areas affected are close to Sendai, up North Japan, where the earthquake hit the strongest. Thankfully to Japan's very high standards on buildings and the very good regulations on construction, made precisely in case of earthquakes, they suffered relatively few structural damages from the movement. However, the earth's shake brought along a very powerful tsunami. Huge waves roamed along the coasts of all japan, the tallest up to 10 meters high. This tsunami was the one to cause the most damage. Some of the waves traveled several kilometers up the coast destroying a lot of houses and damaging roads and buildings. So far around 2000 people have been reported dead and many others have been injured or reported missing.

Also, as a consequence of the tsunami two nuclear power plants suffered from malfunctions. When the earthquake struck, the power plants shut down automatically, but because of the damage in other areas, the cooling system didn’t had electricity to work properly and there was overheating. This ultimately caused a buildup of chemicals and two small explosions.

Now, I want to say something important. I know there is a lot of misinformation out there and want to help people understand and avoid Panic.

The core of the Nuclear reactor was not compromised!

So far the situation on the nuclear plant has been controlled, and the possibility of a meltdown is low. The accident has been similar to what happened in the Three Mile Island incident in USA.

Now, because of the damages, Japan is experiencing a shortage in electricity and scheduled power downs are happening around Japan. Also, a lot of trains are suspending its services and people are having problems moving around. Supermarkets and other stores are starting to have a small stock shortage, but it seems to be not as bad.

Here in Tokyo things are calm, besides from the delays and public transportation problems life here seems almost normal.

I must say. I am absolutely amazed by the efficiency and the amazing response the Japanese government and a lot of the companies are giving to this disaster. The day of the earthquake the cellphone lines shut down and a lot of areas were left out without electricity. The governments acted immediately and sent help to the affected areas. All over Japan telephone companies made public phones available for free, and some supermarkets give out food to those stranded in train stations or away from home. There were many other displays of preparedness and good decisions. People was calm, no panic at all. Everywhere I saw it was lots of organization and patience. It was very impressive.

How it was for me

When it started it was just the familiar dizzy feeling of an earthquake, but as seconds passed it become slightly stronger. I was waiting for the elevator at that moment, and in my mind I started to plan how I would have to wait until it ended before going in and continue carrying things to the truck. I thought it would be just a small shake like we had many in the past. But, the moment the doors opened, the light inside went off. It was then when I knew it wasn’t just a normal small earthquake.

It felt stronger, but I was still able to walk the stairs normally. The whole place felt like it was vibrating, and from the stairs I could see the other buildings around swinging violently. Close to the exit, the glass doors of the building were shaking really hard, and made me wonder if they will break just as I was opening them. Outside the electric poles were swinging hard, making me look at them constantly in case one of the cables snapped. The cars had stopped on the street and many people were just standing there waiting.

Little by little the movement stopped, things calmed down and more people started to walk out of the buildings. Some seemed very anguished, some others were very calm. Some minutes later a replica hit, but it was minimum compared to the first one.

For me, luckily that was as bad as it got. The only problem I had was to have delay of my change of house. I was right on the middle of the moving day when it happened. Half of the things were on the moving truck and the rest was still up on the 10th floor at my old apartment. Because of the earthquake the elevator automatically shut down so I could not continue to move until the next day.

Back in my country, we are not stranger to earthquakes. Mexico City, where I was born, is one of the most susceptible places to seismic movements along with Japan. We had had our disasters in the past as well and we are also trained on what to do on this kind of situations. I also have been in several before, some of them strong enough to make me hold the wall. I think this helped me this time to not get overwhelmed and not get scared.

From what I felt, and what I was able to see at that moment, I thought it had been just a little above the average strong earthquake and everything was ok. We started to wait for the elevator to be available again and continue the moving. Then, while waiting, we saw the news and realized the real magnitude of the earthquake, and we decided to just go to the new house and continue later. It took five hours to get to the new house because of the traffic jam the chaos made. But in the end it was all ok; we were ok, safe and undamaged.

Later watching the news, internet and talking with some friends I also learned that even back in Yokohama it was much worse that I thought. Buildings in my old neighborhood got cracks on the wall, and the supermarket I used to go got its street destroyed. Also, many houses had a lot of things fallen from its place and some even some big furniture tumbled down.

I feel really lucky and grateful. I didn't felt its true strength so for me it wasn't as frightful or shocking as many others felt. And because all was packed and ready to move, there was not even a single broken dish.

I want to thank again everybody for your blessings, encouraging words and good thoughts. It is great having a lot of support and knowing I am cared for.

Thank you very much!

Now I am almost settled down at the new apartment. There is still a few things to do, but they will have to wait until I come back from Mexico. I will be leaving tomorrow and coming back in a couple weeks. I hope everybody here stays safe. We still have a bunch of replicas happening, so, those in Japan please take a lot of care.

If you want to know more about Japan earthquake and this crisis please visit this sites.

53 comments:

Fer, Thank you for your update. I feel touched with your story. It's really good to know how the govt reacted and about the generosity of some supermarkets. The Japanese are very cool and calm people. Very admirable indeed.

My heart still heavy thinking about the loss of people you love from this natural disaster. However, I know Japanese people very well, very calm, efficient and organised. Thank you for putting so much effort in this post, will help people a lot Fer.

Thank you for your updating on the situation of Japan and how to donate for the devastated people!I'll try to keep posting information on the massive earthquake on my blog so I'm happy to corporate with you to send messages to many people in the world!

fer, thank you for posting this when you must be so busy. There is so much misinformation floating around right now and it's hard to understand what's really happening in Japan. Have a good trip home and see you again soon.

Dear all bloggers in the world,I would like you to corporate with groups, enterprises, companies, gorvernments which request you donation and aids for the devastated people in Japan!They desperately need everything for their daily life such as water, foods,blankets, medicines and you name it!お願い申し上げます！

Thanks for the update Fer. It is comforting to know that you are safe and that you were able to finally get moved. I posted about your well-being early in the day when we first heard of the earthquake, so I don't think that my facts were totally accurate. Now with all of the news coverage here in the states, I think we have pretty accurate reports based on your details. Enjoy your vacation in Mexico. Travels safely. cheers. ann

I have been checking the news regularly for news and updates. I have been through the war and destruction in Croatia some 20 years ago, so I know how Japanese people feel right now. I fully understand people who lost their homes and people they love. But, this nuclear threat is really bad. The Red Cross in Croatia has organized telephone call donation for Japan, and I have already made my calls... We have to unite and help Japanese to overcome this terrible crisis. My thoughts and prayers are with Japan.

A fascinating account. I have never experienced anything like what you describe. I think I would find it very frightening. It's good to hear someone speak well of the Government response. In situations like this, it is all to easy to expect the Government to work miracles, which is not reasonable.

We very rarely have any earthquakes that can be felt although we had one in the middle of the night when it felt that the house was being shaken by a train running just otside the window - my husband didn't even wake up. We are lucky! Hope you have a good trip to Mexico and soon settle in to your new home.

fer, Thank you for your update. As you know form my earlier comment, I was concerned for you and your safety and that of all of the people of Japan. Gald you are OK and I wish you well on your visit to Mexico. I have been there a number of times, that too is such a beautiful country, though the violence along the boarder is of great concern. Happy you got all things moved. Look forward to your return and postings. Jack

We have been thinking daily about the people in the affected areas. Japan occupies a special place in the hearts of our family, because our children learned violin and viola through the Suzuki method, which was the creation of Dr Shinichi Suzuki. It is not just about music, but the education of compassionate, loving human beings: Dr Suzuki's book about his method was called 'Nurtured by Love'. As a family this music education method has brought us great joy not just in music, but in international friendships, and we hope to repay some of this now in helping the international relief effort.

Thanks for posting. My heart is so heavy. Watching the news is an emotional roller coaster. So happy when they find survivors but devastating when the number of missing and dead increase. Have a safe trip to Mexico!

Fer, thank you for posting this information in the midst of the chaos and moving. I've been thinking of you and praying for everyone in Japan. Those of us watching it on tv feel so helpless, other than being able to donate money. There seems to be a major disaster someplace in the world every year lately. I am impressed with the efficiency that seems to taking place with the Japanese government. Enjoy your trip home.

Fer, I'm glad to hear you are doing well, I've been thinking of you. The images coming out of northern Japan, from around Sendai, have been nothing short of heartbreaking. The closest I've ever come to a large earthquake, was riding out the Loma Prieta quake in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. By comparison, that quake was small, a mere 6.9 on the richter scale, and lasted for only seconds, not minutes. I can't even envision an earthquake lasting for as long as this one did. I too am impressed at the people of Japan, for their grace and courage during this horrific event. I honestly don't think that if the same had happened here, that we'd be as well prepared, or show so much strength, fortitude and stoicism as I've seen in recent reports, both from the Japanese people, and their government. We feel so powerless to help, but have been sharing the Red Cross number across Facebook with my friends here in America in an attempt to do what little we can from here. I hope from this point forward that the focus can be on healing and recovery. Stay safe.

Fer, thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I am very glad you are OK, but my heart goes out to the people of Japan, particularly the ones still waiting for news of friends and family. The way the Japanese people have coped with the disaster, showing such stoicism and grace when others would be looting etc is impressive. Enjoy your break in Mexico, I hope when you return to your new apartment things will be much better for your new country.

Fer - this was so interesting to read. My son and I are supposed to be travelling to Japan in a few weeks and obviously we have a lot of worries, quite apart from all the concern for what everyone is going through in Japan. I've linked to your post on my blog, Spring Cottage at http://wp.me/suNgG-japan - I hope that's ok. Take care.

Thanks for the update! The news is so upsetting it's hard to watch. The Washington Post ran an article about how kind everyone has been so each other during the crisis. I hope that kind spirit continues as Japan recovers. You and your adopted country are in my prayers!

So glad to see you update the blog. I've been thinking about you for the past couple of days and it is a great relief to learn you are ok. I know we haven't exchanged many comments and blog visits, but I feel like I "know" you since we're both garden bloggers and you're kind of living a childhood dream of mine to one day live in Japan.

I have been watching the news of the disaster in Japan with dismay, Fer, and I am so glad to know that you are safe. Thank you, too, for this excellent first-hand perspective. Please know that the people of Japan are in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Fer, Thank you so for this thoughtful account of the tragedy in Japan. It is very moving. So many lost and I am sure they still do not have a final count. I am not surprised at the graciousness of the people . . . I have known many Japanese women and men who are all generous and the essence of grace. I confess I cannot agree with you regarding Nuclear Power being a safe option for energy. I just hope it can all be brought under control before more radioactive matter is released. It is all so very sad. Take good care!

Thank your for your eye witness to how the quake expressed itself where you were. News coverage concentrates on the worst, and it's good to hear what the quake was like for many people. I consider myself fortunate that I've never experience a massive earthquake, though living in Southern California we have smaller ones occasionally. One of my coworkers was in Mexico City during its major quake and was never heard from again, so I know our quakes here are not as bad as they can get. Stay safe, and I wish you and your current country the best of everything as you try to get back to normal.

Thank you for this post. It's nice to read it through the eyes of someone living in Japan. What we see on the news gives us the impression that all of Japan was affected by the Tsunami. I will continue to pray for those in the North.

We here in the Philippines are always updated because a lot of our people are there and many already went home, with help from our embassy. However, now the nuclear reactors are having problems with more radioactivity than before. I hope everything settles and the world mends properly again. Let's all pray for stability of our earth, people, emotions, etc. God bless Fer. We wait for your posts from Mexico.

Fer, thank you for the first hand information which you have given us. The Japanese are proud people and their behaviour under these conditions are indeed exemplary. I wish you well in your move, and do enjoy your visit back home.

I am so impressed by the patience and calm the people of Japan have showed when faced with this huge, triple catastrophy. I am hoping for fast relief for everyone in trouble, and sending my warm thoughts and prayers for you.

Fer I'm very late with this but I have been thinking of you and all people in Japan, I am so glad for you it was not too bad but fear for others, I have no personal experience of earthquakes but have family in California who have and so know how your family in Mexico must have suffered until they heard from you that you are safe, thank you for taking time to write about it, best thoughts Frances